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The source said there was a “real threat” to the public, saying: “I’ve never seen anything so bad.”

When the bridge joining Edinburgh and Fife was opened in September, its 3.5m-high baffle barriers were hailed as one of its biggest assets.

The speed limit on the Queensferry Crossing is now 50mph (Image: Getty Images)

After gales forced closures of the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge, designers vowed the new crossing would not be closed by weather thanks to the innovative shields designed to break up and deflect wind.

Operators said the barriers, modelled in a wind tunnel by Italian engineers, would “almost entirely eliminate the need for closures”.

Transport Scotland insist only three incorrectly fitted panels have had to be repaired. They denied any planned closure of the bridge to address the issue.

But one worker, who did not want to be identified, told the Record: “In the last four weeks, six have fallen out and one ended up in the water.

“The wind barriers sit in a sleeve, which should have a 10mm gap but most of them are about 50-70mm.

“With the wind and the vibration of traffic, they’re coming loose and falling out.

“Every time one falls out, they send a guy to do a quick fix but there’s now so many to do we have to shut the bridge.

“Most of the guys are telling family and friends not to use the bridge.”